derty talk

I give a lot of credit to individuals that can write, even if it’s just a one page short story.

What’s a day like for Justin Samuels? Walk me through your adventures when you wake up in the morning?

JS: It depends on the day. I generally answer e-mails, shower, and have breakfast. If it’s a day I’m home I may write or work on a related project. If it’s a day I’m working outside the home, then I’ll just keep getting ready for work. I typically swim a lot and do a lot of thinking while swimming. I walk around NYC a lot too.

I didn’t see any relationship status on either your Facebook or any other sites. Married? Single? Kids?

JS: Single, but there’s someone (a friend of mine) out there who might just hit the jackpot if they play their cards right. LOL

I try to be different from everyone that has already interviewed you about your past. But what I do want to know at least for my audience, why be a screenwriter? And what are you expecting to accomplish from all that you have done in the last 5 years?

JS: I’ve been told I tell some over the top tales and that I attract bizarre situations. So when people suggested I write, I decided to go ahead and do it. When I covered occupy Wall Street that gave me writing a big boost and substantially increased my media contacts. Then I decided it was time to film one of my screenplays myself.

One thing that really jumped at me was the novel that you wrote “Machu Picchu”. I based my Special project “Gas Mask Series 2012” on the Mayan Revelation that the world is going to end. What made you write about this particular area of the world? Have you ever been to Machu Picchu?

JS: I’ve never been to Machu Picchu. I have been to South America. I was an exchange student in Paraguay. We visited Brazil while I was there. My minor at Cornell University was in Latin American studies (I have a BA in History from there), so I sort of have an academic background in that area.

I know reading a book is a form of exercise for your brain. How do you even start to write a novel or a play? It’s hard enough to even come up with questions for you.

JS: Well, once I have the initial idea, I write a one page outline. Once I have the initial outline, working on the first draft is much easier.

I’m sure there a lot of exceptional screenwriters out there and have done some great work. Who has been your inspiration to start writing and why?

JS: No other writer inspired me to write. I became a write as I previously said, when people said I have a penchant for collecting the bizarre. With that said, I’m a fan of Tyler Perry, Quentin Tarantino, and Joss Whedon.

You have tapped into the world of Horror. How can you even try to sleep at night knowing that you are thinking of horrific things to write about? Do you watch a lot of Horror films just to be inspired?

JS: I read horror books, mythological stories, and I’ve had enough nightmares that had nothing to do with what I’ve watched or read to inspire me on the horror front.

What makes you stand out from all the other screenwriters and why?

JS: I’m not competitive in that regards, so I don’t know how I stand out from all the other screenwriters.

As a screenwriter, what do you enjoy the most, writing or reading?

JS: I enjoy them both the same. I can’t imagine being a writer if you don’t enjoy reading.

Favorite all time NOVEL?

JS: Dona Flor and her Two Husbands by Jorge Amado. A great book that’s ultimately about why we need balance and completeness, as opposed to extremes.

What projects are you working on now?

JS: The Agent is currently in development and stars Holly T (www.hollytmusic.com) as con artist Alice Jones and Lovari (www.lovariworld.com) as Officer Ted. I’m in talks with some producers out in Los Angeles as we speak. Once those matters are dealt with, we’ll complete the casting. I’ll film in Los Angeles.

Since I do love taking pictures, when will you come out to California so we can do a Photo Shoot?

JS: I may come out during the holidays or right after the New Year. Next year will also film the Agent in Los Angeles.

If you were to address a bunch of kindergarten kids, what advice would you give them?

JS: Just do well in school, stay out of trouble, and follow your interests. That will get you somewhere.

You want th latest from Justin Samuels, make sure to vist his websites below.

It’s hard to come up with questions when you have been everywhere for the last 40 year. I was actually born in 1971, but what I didn’t see on any of your BIO is your marital status, and since this is DERTY TALK…

Have you ever been married? Any Kids? What about a Girlfriend?

My first marriage of 16 years was to an actress. Luckily we are all great friends. I met my present wife 25 years ago. Susan Granger is a well know movie critic and journalist and comes from Hollywood reality. Her father made near 50 films, stepfather 12 films, brother a great number and our son is coming out with the new Tom Cruise film Jack Reacher. Susan and I lived together for 16 years and we got married 10 years ago our marriage hosted by Hollywood MGM legend, Jane Powell.

I inherited two children, one a Hollywood producer and one a marketing wiz and have – would you believe – four wonderful grandchildren.

What made you leave California and why Connecticut?

I was on the road doing Repertory Theater in New Jersey and then a year in New Orleans. I drifted to New York and had great success in commercials and soaps with a few films thrown in.

Just for my audience, explain your first book Quantum Leap Thinking: An Owner’s Guide to the Mind?

Does your book have a connection to Hypnotherapy?

In order to answer these questions I have to give a brief background of what led up to the writing of the book. I got my MA in theater with my undergraduate in psychology. After I threw myself into the world of acting and then producing a couple of theaters I got interested in hypnosis and begin learning everything I could. So, in addition to acting I established my own private practice in New York City and put together a hypnosis show. The success of the show led to two public workshops, Positive Self-Image Training and Choices which, in turn opened a path in 1982 to create The Quantum Leap Thinking Organization. That steered me in to presenting keynotes and workshops businesses on the subjects of creativity and leadership which in turn prompted me to write my first book Quantum Leap Thinking: An Owner’s Guide to the Mind.

If you had another chance to go back in time and not be in Hollywood, what would or who would James Mapes be today?

There is no doubt that I would have done everything I could do to be another Orson Wells except – I would treat people well and, like Clint Eastwood, created a group of people who loved to work with me and who shared my vision.

What drives you to get up every morning and do what you do?

Passion and endless curiosity get me up in the morning. I have no trouble with ideas, writer block or motivation. Time is my only enemy. Oddly both passion and curiosity were a detriment to my early education. My brother recently gave me all my report cards from grade school and high school. There was no doubt that the teachers loved my enthusiasm but – almost every report card pointed out my lack of concentration and focus and my hyper activity. Thank God pills didn’t exist then or I’m sure someone would have put a label on me and medicated me out of being so creative. “He daydreams too much,” a couple of teachers wrote. The reality was that my mind is like a 20-ring circus and was then. I did daydream. Most of the classes bored me to death. It took me a long time to learn to focus and to realize I didn’t have to fit in a box of having only one career. I learned how to surround myself with people who love and support me.

There are certain people that we look up to, mine would be Ansel Adams, who would yours be?

Without a doubt – the filmmaker and star Orson Wells or Peter Ustinov who was an actor with many other talent including writing.

Who inspired you the most growing up and why?

My high school drama teacher Mr. Dryer set me on a path that I would follow. My grandfather was my hero of strength who gave me wisdom and taught me to love nature. My family had little money but great love. My mother would work extra jobs to support my whims of painting classes, music, Box Scouts, camping and God knows what else.

Of all the places that you have ever been to, which place would be close to being HOME and why?

St. Thomas in the U. S. Virgin Islands. In 1973 I worked on an 89-Day World cruise producing and directing musical comedies. One of the stops was in St. Thomas. I knew two things. I felt most at home in the Caribbean and – with only $300.00 to my name – I had to figure out how to make it part of my life. It took a lot of work and borrowing money but in 1978 I bought a one-bedroom condo. My wife and I go down 10 weeks a year and spend six hours, seven days a week writing. It is the most creative atmosphere that one could imagine. It slows down my mind and opens up my creative spirit.

Favorite all time MOVIE?

Citizen Kane

What projects are you working on now?

Getting close to finishing up my new book” IMAGINE THAT! Mastering your Mind.” Two weeks I will be completing a two year project and recording a 2-Disk program entitled “Patient Pre-Op/Post-Op Healing Therapy.” It is a program to help people eliminate fear before surgery, reduce stress, manage pain and heal faster. We have successfully used the program with dozens of patients and did the pilot at a Connecticut Hospital. I will be acting in a thriller entitled “Wards Island” in October and writing a screenplay this winter which I will act in and my wife and I will produce.

When will you come out to California so we can do our Photo Shoot?

Soon.

ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE JAMES MAPES. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Tenacious.